Coupling and the like



Aug. 28, 1928. J. BIJUR COUPLING AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 5. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR J DSEPH BIJUR ATTORNEYS.

B Y Q uid M Aug. 28, 1928.

J. BIJUR COUPLING AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 5- 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR JOSEPH BIJUR ATTORNEYS Patented Aiig. 23, a l

Josnrrr Brawn, or new "roan, N, Y.

oon rrirrzre AND HE LIKE. Application Z'ilfitll October 5, 1921. Serial No 505,593,

My present intention relates to mechani- Another object isto provide a coupling of alt couplings for clriving one shaft element the above type, the connecting parts of final another and with regard to its more which shall be simple and easily aecessihle speeifio applications to couplings of the :lor facilityi'n mounting into operative po-m 5 type bywhieh the need for precision in the sltion, and relnovalif or (lisnnounting' and aligninent of the shaftsis eliminated. The Without the'use 0i" specialized tools or the invention has application hroacll v for transexercise of cleltteritjpv initting torque from a power or driving elelltnother oh'ect is to provide a coupling ment to an adjacent. driven machine or which shall readily flex for applicationto shaft. The embodimentdisclosed, although misal gned shafts Without yielding in the Q of broad utility is particularly applieahlc driving direction, and Which shallyet he so to automotive vehicles,ias for instanoe, in constri cteclantl arranged that clestrnctiye transmitting torque between the engine ancl distortion or flexure e omi safe lin iits "is accessory machines, s ch as magnetOs genavoltlecl o p T i OIMJOTS anrlwater pumps. 'Anotheroh eetis-to provide afleoiipling The invention in; its preferred application f the above ty e in Which the flexihlefparts d ith th tmj f f ling tr dshall be easily and quickly reinorahle for time in which each hub isconnectecl to or r p c m t, ithout theexer is o 5 1 carries a separateancl distinct yielclahle the use of specialized tools. member extending about the axis or the Anothel' object is tojproviclea Coupling coupling, the two yielclahle elements being. of the above type in which tlieftastening incl-urn clriv ingly conneeteclfbya more rigid en-$50 hO Q. the fleXibl-ei le entin transmission member, although certain iniposltlon shall be so differentiated those poi-tent featuresof the invention are inoreJIOIClmg the hub units to the transinission broadly applicable to other structural types elei n l as toavoicl the possibility of conf li a l p fuslon whenga coupling is to; he removed It i an ObjeQ'tfO'f th i ti t from the shaft or when a flexible elementis vi le simple eliahleand durable coupling, t r p a e i i a which shall transmit the torque even he Another object isjtoprovicle a coupling tween poorly aligned shafts with a mini- Of the above type, the parts of which shall 0 mum of wear upon theassociatecl shaft IlOt r r W h e ve lm v me t p b i i i v r orrloWn of thecoiipledmachine, suchasaf Another objeetiis to provide a practical il i inpremdVfll illsllallatioil; con'plin r of the ah'oi e type ofshort length Other oh ectswillbe in part obyious and v useful in relations where economy of length ve POiIItEClOUt hefillfliltr" 5 is desirable or required and Where thedis y C p l P-i pp cat n, Serial tance between etlja cent shetends islcorre- 1,9 fil d J l l fy 2, I. 113V? F 5 spending; 7 small;anclwh'lch coupliiigishall .QBIlJEECl ie lftimsg'enel' d o h di$010SUiTS yet lentl itself readilytoconnectionbetween 0 e two ppl at ons, f i l shaft ends separated hya grltel interval. Th above anclotherfifeatures of my; in;

Another object "is to proyicle a coupling flfi ifiin y mor 5 1 5 DC -Q StQ QfiQ Q in which" aconnectingl eleinentsfor holtlthe ac ompa y g i g n fi e m th g0 fl e tc u li jp -t 15 shown oneor more o'f varioiispo'ssible embled i'elatioii firmlj' retain their holclvlwithhoclitnents oftliejseveral features ofthe in 5 outthe likelihoodofwea or looseningeven V tiwi a a iintler severe conditions of use, so that the l is a VieWin transverse section takyield in the coupling shall he confined tothe en along the line 1-.-1 of 2. p o i a elements intended to yield avoicling rattling Fig. 2 is a sectional iew taken along nd eliminating afcanse ofglagpanclleatl of theline2 2 of Fig 1 1 i I thee-baits with respect to each other; Fig.3 is a sectional iew talten alo'ng the m i line 33 of Fig. 2, showing the constituent parts separated and aligned in the proper order for assembly,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in crosssection of one of the fastening elements Fig. 5 is a plan view of a clamping plate detai Fig.6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modified form of the invention,

Figs. 7 and 8 are views of said modified form respectively, similar to Figs. 2 and 3,

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail taken along line 9 -9 ofFig. 7,

Fig. 10 is a detail ofthe transmission element, p

Fig. 11 is a planview on an enlarged scaleofa preferred form of wire clam Fi 12 is a sectional view taken a ong the l1ne 1212 of Fig. 11,

Fi 13 is a fragmentary plan of a hub detail,

Fig. 19 is a section taken along the line 1919 of Fig. 18.

' ings, there is re resented a coupling comprisinga pair 0 hubs 1 of familar form, each provided with a flange 2 extending. outwardly therefrom along one diameter, the said flange being preferably a stamping havin a central opening 3 passed over the hub, t e hub u set as at 4 into scallops 5 at the edge of t e flange 0 enin to rigidly secure the parts together. Thusfby a simple operation, the flange is fastened to'the hub both against removal and against relative rotation, the upset rim performing the first function, and the hub metal pressed into the scallops, the second.

-The coupling includes a pair of identical rings 6, referably composed of rubber and canvas, aving an outer diameter somewhat larger than that of the flange and a substantial width for strength, the inner periphery, in the embodiment shown, being of a diameter little larger than thatof the hub. Each of the flexible rings is secured at diametrically opposite points, to the correspending flange 2 near the outer endsthereof, eachof said securing meansbeing constructed and-arranged as follows: A bolt 7 extends through the ring and the flange and is upsetas at 8to prevent loosening or loss of the associated nut't) which is locatedat Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5of the draw the outer surface of the flange. To provide afirm non-tearing connection between the bolt and the flexible member, metal guard clamp plates 10 and 11 preferably cover oppositesurfaces of the flexible ring in the region of the bolt and have apertures 12 through which the bolt extends. The plates preferably have sharp embossed points 13 digging lnto the material of the rim to establish a firm frictional hold. Each of the pairs of plates 10, 11 is positively pressed and secured in position upon the ring by means of a rivet 14 which has a rim 15 rolled over the aperture 12 in the metallic plate 10 and a squared flat head 16 of substantial thickness, that is, a head having its flat surface at rightangles to the rivet axis, overlapping the edge of the aperture 12 in the ot ier plate 11. The are thus firmly held in positionby the rivets 14 against separation from the flexible ring and the rivet in turn acts as a protective guardfor the aperture in the ring, through which the bolt shank extends. The flange 2 is firmly clamped by each of the bolts near opposite ends thereof against the corresponding squared rivet head adjacent thereto, said heads thus servingas spacers between the flange and the ring for purposes that will lates 10 and 11 appear below. Obviously, each pair of clamp plates 10 and 11 might be formed, if desired, in a single U-shaped clip straddling the periphery of the ring as shown in Fig. 2. V v

Two hub units of thecharacter described, each comprising a hub with a flange having a flexible ring bolted thereto are preferably connected by an" intermediate V transmission piece. The transmission piecein the preferred embodiment comprises a air of referabl rectangular bridging b ocks 1 18 of Sn stantial width and of lesser thickness, normally extending parallel to the coupling axis, the said bridging-blocks serving as direct connections between the rings, at points midway between the ends of the flan es. The bridging blocks areconnected toget er by a metal band 19 substantially narrower than the length of the bridges, generally circular in form of diameter somewhat smaller than the outer diameter of the rings and fitting snuglyin corresponding grooves 20 and 21 in the outer surfaces of the bridge blocks and midway between the endsthereof.. The free ends of the band preferably abut as at 22 between the ends of the groove 21 in one of the blocks and are positivel secured in place by rivets 23 and 24, Pref erably the generally circular band 19 is flattened as at 25, atthe parts fitting upon the bridging blocks forsnug surface en gement with the grooves, to prevent shi t of the band with respect to the parallel brid ing pieces. The bandis obviously very stih in twohub units in a manner which will be apparentfrom the drawings; 'lhehub units are disposed with the lengths of flanges 2 extending along the same axial plane of the coupling and in'parallel relation, as best shown in Fig. 3. I The transmission unit is interposed between the two rings with the bridging blocks midway between the flange ends or spaced by 90 degrees from the bolts 7 which connect the rings to the flanges. The connection between each of the rings and the transmission element is preferably effected by cap screws 26, extending trans versely through therings and threaded into tapped openingsQi' in the bridging blocks.

F or this purpose preferably metallic plates 28 similar to those; heretofore described are clamped 1n position by rivets 29, also similar to those heretofore described, in which the thickened squared heads 30, howeyen pro- Jectfrom the sldes facing the bridging blocks to effect a square pull-up "against the ends of the bridging elements. Preferably each screw is provided with a lockfwasher R1 to )revent loosenin or dist-onmention in l a b a vibration. It 1366611 that the connectlon between the rings and the hub flanges on a the one hand and between the rlngs andthe transinissionvpiece on thefother, are particularly firm and unyielding, the threaded clamping member in each case coming in Contact with andexerting pressure upon firin metal parts only, which in turn pre'-" yent wear and tear of therubber and fabric a elements.

The screw 26 when tightened of course,"

exerts damping-pressure in an axial direction upon the riyet'29, and not upon the rubber and fabric ring. The rivet thus :iorrns a rigid reaction" piece for the lock washer 31, where in theabsence of the rivet or its equivalent;athe clamping pressure would be taken by the flexible r1119 which may yield suilieiently in "the direction of compression even under lugh pressure to render the lock washer ineiiicaoious. y

The set ofclampingplates 10, l1 28 with the associatedlrivets 29, as seen are substantially a permanent part jot the flexible rings,

constitutingineifeotineehanical terminals 1 p tendoutwardlybeyond the linings t theretor. r a I a In the preferred(embodiment the lateral edges of all of the siiite'en inetal plates lO,

11;28 aretlared as at 32 to serve as limiting guides toi pi'eventing sharp bendsiiu opera tion and consequent tear or rupture ol the flexible rings beyond the clamping plates, particularly when thefcoupling transmits no daug ter of ti elementthereon to 'l V J screws need be trhtened torfseouring the hub unitto thetransmiss on elementto oo ntendingtransversely} therethrougln torque between poorly aligned shafts. The thickened stniared rivetyheads" l6 and serve as spacers betweenethe flexible rings 1 and the hub flanges andbridgingpieces respectively, so that when the bolts 7 and screws 26 respectively areltightened, there shall be suilicient space for the flares and I teniug then]: y

I tltartine' with a completely assembled coupling, the same is mounted to transmittorquo between a pair of shaft endsby n1ere 1y removing a pair-{of the screws 26 connecting one of the flexible rings 6 to the transmission unit. The other hub 1 with the ring' 6 and are transmission unit Tl'if, 18, 19

mounted thereon is their slipped over tlie'e shaft 33 and keyedthereto as by a wear rufi key 04;, whereupon theusual nut tliiis threaded upon the extrenle'erid of the shaft and tightened by nieans ota wrenchyand secured by a look washer 136. It will be seen that the nut read, wrench, since the transmission piece is spaced tronrthe axis oi" the oouplingbya distance practically thatot the miterdialneter of the coupling. the bridge pieces 5 extending inwardiyjifor but a'sniallrange andnot inter toting; with the operat on; of; the wrench. llhe other hub having been sinularlyappl ed ti itening' the nut 37, one ot the shafts is aecessible for the i to the other shaft andseeured thereto by .8 iuounteduoh one of the hubs are brought into alignment withthe square shoulderriyet head 30' on the other hub, whereupon the screws 26 each carrying a loelrwasher arm-e passed through the'plates and threaded into the tapped openings QYAint-he bridge pieces and tightened.

Thusinyponfstruotion is readily connected operatlvely in the usualsapproved practical manner, by means oil-nuts upon the 1 shafts pressed against the hubsand located between the ends of the eoupling and. this wi thout the need rm separating the transmission olenieutironi both hubs; WhllCll would occur where the transmission olenient'has too small diameter or too great a length for conrei'uent accessiot a wroneh. After attachnient of a hub uni t to ioue of the shafts and er the other hub unit with Pitta h rtncauen. a

Asshown in thewdi awing's, the hubs.

'or on;

romance "in the use Ofufitlb alternatrv For this purpose tl e hub and shalt would be perforated to accommodate the pin P; ex

yiously substant.

I the entire length of shaft only two 7 ran hub, beyond the flange eould bedis )ensed with if the coupling is to be used only with a nut or equivalent fastening for the shafts applied between the flanges.

It will be seen that the flexible ring duadrants extend freely between the points of attachment to the flange and the Points of attachment to the transmission piece, and as heretofore noted, the portions of the rings overlapping the flanges Q'are spaced therefrom by the rivet heads and are spaced by a material distance from the band 19 of the transmission member.

Thus, although the coupling is short in length, there is ample space allowed for flexure of the ring quadrants. The coupling has material flexibility in an axial direction for increase or decrease V .of effective length to permit of application to shaft ends spaced by a distance other than that corresponding to the length of the coupling. In this relation, the hubs are simply drawn away from or toward each other, the rings 6 readily flexing aboutthe diameter determined by the bridging pieces 17 and 18. When the lengthening is appreciable, the radially inward stress upon the flexible rings at the points of attachment to' the bridges may cause the latter to approach each other somewhat against the resistance of band 19, the latter yielding-or flattening somewhat." Thus, the quadrants of the ring will be stretched less and last longer than if the bridge blocks are rigidly connected together and the longitudinal yield is greater than would be permitted in such case by the flares 32 above described. a

When the two other shafts to be connected are mounted with ordinary care, then, as is bearings. In driving with laterally misfor application .well'known the alignment is ordinarily inaccurate. The shafts strictly may extend with a respect to each .otherat an angle somewhat less than 180 degrees or while extending at an angle of 180 degrees they may be displaced from each other laterally by a gap sometimes of almost f an inch, or there operation, it will consequentlyexert little orno lateral pressure or wear on the shaft aligned shafts, asthe bridges reach a horizontal diametenthe ends thereof facing the relatively raised shaft-will cock upwardly and theopposite ends downwardly, the rings flexing correspondingly. The connecting hand being rigidly mounted upon the bridges will be correspondingly tilted therewith, but

will maintain the two bridges in accurate ,parallelism, so'that neither ring will ad- Vance in the direction of rotation relative to the other. As the rotationproceeds and the bridges reach a vertical diameter of the coupling, the fiexure of the'rings will gradushafts.

ally be altered to place the halves of the rings above the raised shaftand below the lowered shaft, under compression, and the other semi-rings under tension.

Where the shafts are misaligned angular- 1y, it will be seen that when the bridges are in a plane perpendicular to the common diameter of the shafts, the rings will be shifted in opposite directions about the line of connection to the bridges as an axis, and the fiexure of therings will continuously change in operation, until after rotation of the coupling through degrees, the semirings connected to one of thebridges will be flexed toward each other, and the remaining semi-rings from each other. Thus, in the rapid rotation of the coupling, whether applied between shafts misaligned laterally,

angularly, or both, each quadrant will pass through a cycle of fiexure to compensate for the misalignment. There being ample space between the band and the inner surfaces of the rings and between the. rings and the hub flanges, no interference will occur as a result of this flexure. v

The. transmission element made up of the two small bridging pieces and the light connecting band has small massand, sets up little centrifugal force, and no appreciable vibration will, therefore, result. from. its rotation out of center between poorly aligned Since the connect-ingbridge pieces extend parallel to the coupling axis and are maintained parallel to eachother, no lag or lead of one shaft with respect to the other can take place at anypart of the rotation, which would not be the case if the transmission member were connected to thetwo rings at points out of axial alignment With each other. The operation is thus smootlnand does not set up the undesirable stress, which would follow from continual variation in speed of the driven shaft.

It will be seen that in the above action, sharp and destructive bends of the flexible rings adjacent the platcs'at which they are gripped are avoided, the flare 32 .at the lateral edges of the plates forming a limiting guide to assure a relatively gradual deflrctiou. The limitingguides may. of course, be members separate and distinct from the plates. if desired. but the specific construction shown and described is preferred.

Disconnectionof the coupling from the shaftsis readily effected by the use of a screw driver and wrench, the operation heretofore described in connection with the mounting being simply reversed. It will be seen that the two screws 26 associated with each ring are readily accessible from the exterior of the ringand readily removable, to separate a hub unit from the transmission piece. while there is no possibility of removal of the-hub'from the ring since the lllli latter elements are connected by the upset bolts. i i

When it is desired toremovea flexible ring, as for replacement, it is merely necessary to file oif the upset endsS ofthe two corresponding bolts? whereupon a new ring can besubstituted together with a new pair of bolts, the endsof which in turn willbe upset over the nuts. In the form shown in Figs. 6 to 11 inolusive, many of the partsshown in Figs. lto

are employed, and suchparts areidentified bythesame reference characters in both embodiments. Broadly, as in the embodiment shownin Figs. 1, to 5,, a pair of the hub units each comprising a hub carrying a flexw ible ring are disposed at opposite sides of an interposed transmission element including bridging pieces to which the rings are securedat points, 90 degrees from or midway between the endsof thelflangesn In the preferred embodiment the ringf38 drawn wire, flattened by mechanical working, as by rolllng or by, passingthrough appropriate dies, and has width 39 materially greater than its thiolrnessdO and preferably a rounded edge 4L1. The term drawnwire.

is used for want of a better term to define the property of thelmaterial resulting from the drawing process anchof'course, embraces wire of substantially the same properties made by other mechanical processes, suchas setforth in the preceding sentence. j

In thepreferred embodiment, each coupling ringis formed by severing two complete circumferences 38 from the stockshown in Fig.1? superposing them with the split end of one diametricallyopposite thesplit end of the other and connecting them against. relative slipping by any desired binding eler merits, alternative forms ofwhich are shown at a2, 13 and dt in Fig. 7 and will be fully described below.

Preferably shallow offset depressions at intervalsof a quadant, which .may be formed in. the stock, as shown 111 Fig. 17, for COOPQHLUOH with fastening elements to secure the rings tothe other coupling elements. The superposed rings are disposedwith theconcavi ties of the offsets facing each other as shown the rings are provided with at 46 inl ig. 12 and atuniform intervals of a quadrant. 3 Q, [The four fastening elements or mechanical terminals on eachring are kidentioaland,

preferably operate by gripping action. Each gripping element compris'es a small center plate 47 having a spacertongue 48 extending radially outwardly into the space a6 between the two registeringoifsets and encircled bya sheet vmetal sleeve 48. The} center-plate is straddled at its .radiallyinnermost edge 49 by a doubled plate or, clip 50 cut away between the endswofits free. i

edgesasat 51 to clear the tongue 48 and the ad acent-portions,ofthe wires 38 and serving toclamp said wiresbeyond the block as' at 52. Foraccurately,positioning the clip.

with respect to the center plate, the plate has ashort tongue 53 at its radially inner. most edge 49 fittinginto a corresponding slot 54 inthe adjacent portion of theclip. 50.

The construction thus far, described is i covered by an outer or cover clip .55'strad dling the outer periphery of the wire, the sides of said outer clip overlapping the off-T set portions of the wires and the sidesof the inner clip 50. The outer clip, the inner clip andfthe center plate are maintained innssembled. relation. preferably by a pair of rivets 56 extending throughvallthese memhers and located at opposite. sides ofthe spacer tongue, andspaced radially inwardly. I

from the wires. As best shown at 57 in F 12, the split end of each wire is in the ;center of an offset and the a corresponding clamp units serve to hold the split ends against separation. The clamp element thus "far described, will firmly. grip the :wires because "of the substantial surface on which clampingpressure is applied, atthe offset, portions 45, and also beyond the same 3 as at 52, the shoulders 58 connectinghthe offsets 45 tothe substantially positive stops against slipping. The firm holdof the clamp issecurediwithe out perforating or note-hing the wires, so that the uniformcstrength of the Will main. length of the wires serving also as throughout its length .is preserved.

The ring thus far described is secured by two of the wire clamp units to the ends of the hub flange 2 by means of bolts textending transversely through the various super posed plates and clipelements, preferably midway between the rivets 56 as shown in Fig. 7. and the bolt ends are upset as at 8 over the nuts, which are disposed at the outer surface of the flanges as in the embodi;

merit shown in Figs. 1 to 5. 3

To rigidly retain the clamp units. with respect to the flange, that is,flto prevent any eventual rocking aboutthe bolt as an axis, the rivets 56 that maintain the clips in as sembled relation are preferably provided with relativelythiclr heads 59 (see Figs. 7 and 11) which extend into correspondingpieces disclosed in'l igs 1 to 4. Each of the and bridges respectively for preventing rocking of the clam un ts, can'be formed inthe original blan ring out process without need for specialmachining.

The transmission unit in the present embodiment comprises stamped metal bridging pieces instead of the quadrilateral stock ridging pieces comprises an inner U or channel-shaped stamping 61 and an outer U'or channel-shaped stamping (l2 straddling the same. The inner stamping includes a three pairs of struck-u lugs 70, 71, and 72 a for snugly contacting t 1e opposite edges oi? cross-piece 63 having legs 64: doubled over as at 65 and the legs 66 of the outer stamping overlap the doubled-over legs of the inner stamping, the bases of the channels contacting each other. The triple thickness of metal at each side of the composite bridging element thus formed is tapped to secure a firm hold for fastening screws 26 by which the clamp units midway between those attached to the hub flanges are secured to the bridging pieces. The yieldable connecting band 19 between the bridges is preferably similar to that shown in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5 and is preferably connected to the bridging pieces by the same rivets "67 which secure the two constituent elements of the bridge pieces together.

In the preferred embodiment the outer channel elements of the bridge pieces have the band 19, thereby preventing shift with respectto the bridging piecesand maintaining them at all times exactly atriglit angles to the length of the band, regardless of the strain to which the coupling is subjected. The central pair 70 of struck-up lugs on one of the bridging pieces extends transversely across the split ends 73 of the band, preventing any shifting thereof and the other pairs of lugs prevent any lateral shift of the hamlet the portions coacting therewith, so that each end of the band is firmly held attwo spaced points, and, therefore, cannotchange its angular relation with respect to the bridging pieces and is firmly anchored. i

To prevent the likelihood of sharpv bends of the metal ring units 38 adjacent the clampswhich might in the absence of special precaution occur, particularly where the coupling is used to transmit power between shafts that are misaligned to a sub- 59 of the rivets 01'" stantial degree, the clamps are preferably flaredat the edges, as shown at 7 4 by roundingthe lateral edges of the inner clip element 50, thereby guiding the wires for gentle curvature and preventin sharp bends which might bring about weahening and rupture of the wires, where they pass rapidly through their cycles of fiexure in operation.

Preferably also the cover clip 55 asshown is formed with a smaller curvature than the wire, so that it diverges as at 75 from the outer periphery of the wire and preferably also the center plate 47 has oblique shoulders 76 divergingfrom the inner periphery of the wire, thus providing limiting stops to prevent excessive deflection of thewire in a radial direction, while preventing rubbing or friction between the wire and ad jacent parts of the clip when the wire flexes lengthwise of the coupling or between the flares 74 ofthe clip in its rapidly repeated cycles of flexure.

The flexible metal driving rings being of small width relative to their periphery and the clam units carried thereby of small width ra ially, ample space is afforded between the innermost edges of the opposite clips to readily clear a hub ofconventional dimensions, asappears clearly in Fig. 6. It will thus be seen that the flexible metal ring construction can easily be passed over the outer end of the hub and can be secured to the outer face of the flange 2, thus providinga particularly short coupling construction, in which the thickness of the two rings and of the clamp units is not an added component of the overall length of the cou pling. Of course, as suggested in Fig. 8, where desired,the flexible metal rin units ma be securedto the inner surface 0 either or 0th of the flanges. i

The binding means for retaining together the pair of Wires, making up a ring element, are preferably in the form shown at 42 heretofore referred to and comprise each a sheetmetal clip band 77 embracing the two wires preferably midway between each of the two adjacent clampunits, the ends of which are fastened by a rivet 77, as best shown in Fig. 9.

As an alternative embodiment, the bind ing means may be formed of small-gauge metal wire as at 78, wound about the central portion of the quadrant with its convolutions close together and having its ends twisted together as at 79 and bent radially inwardly to avoid the danger of cutting. '1 As another alternative embodiment, the securing means may be a small-gau e wire. 80, wound with relatively high pitc about the two rings, and extending freely with-- out special securin fastening means preferably the clip shown at 12, will be employed for each of the quadrants of the rin a f i In use, lfllS found that the couplingis substantially unyielding in the direction of rotation. This is accounted for by the fact that the clamps firmly grip the ringswith-i out possibility of slip, that each clamp is firmly retained against rocking about the threadedelement which secures it to the, ad

f 'oinin cou lin n element that each clam i D ID 7 of l responding economy in skilled labor. -Furunit is firmly secured to the associated hub orbridging member and willnot loosen by wear, that the band 19 of thetransmission element prevents displacement of the bridges out of parallelism, so that neither hub member can advance with respect to thexother, andthat the ring quadrants are of suchstrength relative to the forces transmitted that they will not stretch appreciably under tension. ,Although thus rigid in the driving direction, the coupling flexes with remarkable facility in every other direction. The hubs can be moved toward each otherordrawn apart with little effort to accommodate the coupling for conneclllOIl between shaft ends separated by varying distances, and similarly the hubs can be displaced with little effort angularly or latorally withirespect to each other to correposed with respectto each other with the degree of accuracy required where couplings flexibility are employed eiteotnngcorther advantages and details of operation of the] present embodiment will be ObVlOTlS from the description above of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to i The flexible rings, in the embodiment of (Ste 12, being of drawn wire have had no weaknesses or cracks developed in their edges. In view of the continuity of the edges ofthe drawn wire therapidly repeated flexure 'does not result in any appreciable weakening, where, in the case of the usuallstamped metal driving rings or quadrants, the minutecracks in the edges may develop into tears with corresponding need" for frequent replacement. 1x5; distinguished from ordinary stamped metal rings or quadrants, the lateral edges of which are out and, therefore, different in character and tenacity from the wider surfaces, I have provided a ring element homogeneous sjdewise and edgewise, and of substantially uniform tenacity. My lnventi'on "embraces broadly,.fiexible coupling elements,

of homogeneous surface, whether round or flat, solid or} hollow, unitary or composite and devoid of m'inutecracks.

The flattened wire construction p'artiou:

larly in view otthe large diameter affords the desiredsubstantialflexibility in a direce tion lengthwise of the couplingandsubstantial stiffness against distortion in a radial or edgewise direction, so that the uniform interval of a quadrant' between successive clamps. will be maintained throughout. The doublefiat wire ring has the advantage of greater flexibility lengthwise of the coupling than a single wire ringofdouble thickness; Each of the twowire rings above, is prefer ably of suficient strength to transmit the torque, so that, should one of the wire ele-.

zn'ents of a quadrantbreak in operation the coupling will not be disabled. The binding elements which hold the two wire elements of each cpiadrant together for convenience in assembly, as heretofore pointed out, performthe further function of retaining a ruptured w re against lashing; about,,and thus servetoprevent damage to other parts, of

the ("JQLlI'illDQ; or of adjacent elements, upon wire breakage. It is, of course, obvious that a circular wire ring may be employed in stead of the flattened wire rings, but Iprcfer the latter for reasons appearing in the foregoing. i

lead of-the drivenshaft withrespect to the nice the coupling doesnot permit leg or driving shaft, it is suitable for driving inagnetos. To effect proper ltiming adjustment of the n'iagnetos so'that the spark will take place incorrect phase with the engine rota tion, one of the hubs is preferably arranged to'be adjustable; as shown in Fig. 6. For this purpose the flange 2.11s provided with a beveled opening 81 fitting over a beveled or conical flange 82 at theend of the hub and held infrictional drivingwrelation therewith by a nut 83 threaded. upon the hub as at 84, and exerting press-tureupon the adjacent side of the flange 2.

As best shown in washer 85 is interposed between the flange andfthe nut. This washer is preferably a simple stampinghaving tongues 102 and 103 to QITIlJlflCS the edges otfthe flange as shown, and having a circular body 10% affording segments as at 105 projecting beyond the sides of nut 34:. Preferably the tongues 102, 1O3are normally slightly bent and will be a 1 pressed toward each otherby the mechanic 6 and 14, a lock after application, to snugly embrace the flange,. and one of the 'segments 105 will be v bent over the adjacent side of the nut as at 106, thereby firmly holding the nut against rotation relative to the flange.

To eifect shaftadjustment, it is obvious that the nut 83 need merely be loosened, the segment 105 being, of course, first bent toward its plane and the hub with its key can be rotated through the desired angle with respect to the flange 2 and the nut then again tightened to frictionally connect the parts and a segment of washer 85 referably other than that previously used is bent over against a side of the nut for locking, 1 The adjustment means is a simple construction involving onlya conical fit between the hub and the flange, and a simple nut and locking washer for tightening the connection.

Preferablya mark such as an arrow 107 pointing toward the hub is scratched into the innermost surface 'of the flange 2 to assist in reapplying or in adjusting a coupling removed for repair. or other purposes, without the need for retiming the magneto. It will be obvious that for this purpose the mechanic before removing the coupling hub from the. magneto shaft will scratch the interior surface of the hub as at 86 in alignment with the arrow 107 on the flange, the large open wire ring affording ready access to the inner end of the hub for this purpose. The timing adjustment construction can, of course, be applied. in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5 for use of the latter in-magneto driving.

Automotive accessory machines, and par- .ticularly magnetos are frequently retained all) against sliding along the supporting bed by theuse of'short dowel pins projecting downwardly thereinto. Where my coupling 'is used with such machines, the removal is particularly easy, for the reason that, after taking out the two screws 26 holding a flange to the transmission piece, the machine can be raised vertically sufiiciently to remove the dowels from the base, the metal ring flexing-readily to cause the rivet heads 59 y to clear the notches in the bridging pieces.

member to the cooperating coupling In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5, after removal of the pairs of screws 26, the flexible ring can be moved upwardly along the bridging pieces without any obstruction whatsoever. Where instead of screws, bolts and nuts are employed to secure the bent art, it is apparent that it would, in genera be necessary notonly to remove the nuts but also to withdraw the bolts to render possible a lifting of the magneto or. other machine with dowels, so that more se arate parts would .have to be handled an greaterinconvenience in disassembly and reassembly would be entailed.

In Figs. and 16 is shown an alternative form of metalring hub unit. In this embodiment a sin lametal ring 87 is shown in place of a dou le ring and thehub and flange are shown formed in a single forging as at 88. For use of the single wire each clamp is preferably formed of a si is U- shaped sheet metal clip element 89 strh ddlin the ring from the exterior periphery, an having an indented or struck-in portion 90 in registry with the offset of the wire, said offset being thereby held within a corresponding slot 91 in the opposite surface of theclip. i i

In this embodiment, although the clam unit maybe formed of a metal plate an provided with a flare as in Figs. 11 and 12, I have shown an alternative form of spring metal clip. Tangs 92 arebcnt u from one side of the sheet metal clip and lbrced over the other to maintain the two sides clam ed together against the wire, one pair of iametrically opposite clipson each ring being securedto the flanges of the hubs by bolts and the other pair of the bridging pieces by screws substantially as in the other embodiment. The clamping action of the threaded members assists in the gripping action of the clips. In the present embodiment prongs or tangs 93 are bent up from a side of each clip and extend preferably into grooves 93 machined into the surface of the flange 2, which grooves may be coaxial with the coupling, thus serving as anti-rock means to prevent movement of the clips about the bolts asan axis. Similar tangs on the bridging piece clips coact for the same purpose with recesses in the bridging pieces (not shown) in a manner similar to the coaction of rivets 59 with recesses 68 in Fig. 7.

Both leaves of the clips are formed with integral spring tongues extending laterally from opposite sides of the grip ing portion, as at 94 and 95 and along the ength of the wire, and preferably wide at their bases and tapering to narrow ends, as shown. These ill) spring tongues will be flexed by the ring as the latter is flexed in transmitting tortiue between poorly aligned shafts. .As the tongues are relatively stifi' near their bases and more flexible at their narrow ends, the wire will be held thereby against appreciable bending at the point of attachment, but will bend. more freely at the tongue ends. Thus, the spring tongues will prevent any sharp, destructive bend of the drawn wire, and will perform substantially the function of the flare in the embodiment of Figs. 10 and 11. In use, when the coupling transmits torque between inaccurately aligned shafts, the spring tongue will return to initial position by virture of its elasticity as the adjacent portion of the wire ring returns to the neutral plane from its position of maximum flexure.

Although I prefer toemploy the specific Ill form of wire clamp elementshown in Figs. 11 and 12, it will, of course, be obvious that thevspring clip form of Figs. 15 and 16 may be substituted in the form of, coupling shown iirFigs. 6 to 8, also, that thedouble wire em bodiment of Figs. 6 to 8 may be substituted in the embodiment of ,F igs. 13 and 14;.

An alternative form of" clip is shown in Figs. 18 and 19 inwhich elongated slots 96 are out near the split ends and also at the ends of each quadrant of the flexible wire, a spacing plate 97 of a thickness equal to the combined thickness of thetwo flattened wires being placed adjacent the inner peri phery thereof, clamping plates 98 straddling the opposite surfaces of the wire both having embossments 99 pressed thereinto to fit into the openings 96, the whole being clasped by a Ushaped outer element 100, straddling the outer periphery of the wires, and held in assembled relation, by rivets 101 passing transversely through the outer clip, the clamping plate and the spacing plate.

Obviously manyofthe details in the various embodiments set forth, and especially the clamp units, the anti-rock arrangement, the fiexure limiting flare of F igs; 11 and 12 orthe spring metal tongue of Fig. 15 for the same purpose, and the use of drawn Wire quadrants. or rings or the equivalent are broadly applicable separately or in combinationin other relations, for instance, to coulings of, the type embodying a single flexile ring member connected at spaced intervals directly, to two hubs.

I claim i j 1. In a coupling, in combination, a pair of hub members, flexible driving members corresponding one to each hub member and secured thereto near opposite ends of a diameter, a transmission band .member between said flexible members and of width materially smallerthan the distance between the two flexible members, and inner diameter sutficiently large for convenient access of a wrench to tighten a fastening nut, and lugs extending outwardly from said band and projecting fromopposite edges thereof and in line with each other, and securing means fastening said lugs to said flexible members at points midway between the points of connection of the latter to the hub members, said securing means being accessible for ap -.1 plication and removal thereof from the end of the coupling.

2. In aflexible coupling, in combination, a pair of hubs, each havinga flange ezrtend ing'outwardly therefrom substantially in the direction of one axial plane of the coupling, a pair of "flexible rings secured to said flanges, a pair of bridges connecting said rings at points betweenfthe ends of said, flanges and ametallic band firmly secured to :said bridge andspaced radially from said hubs and, laterally from one of the rings and normally in a plane parallel thereto.

3.111 afleX-ible coupling, in combination, a pair of COEIKIEil hubs provided with flanges,

extending outwardly therefrom substantially in the direction ofone axial plane of the couplin flexible rings coaxial with said ing outwardly therefrom substantially in,

the direction of one axial plane of the coupling and substantiallyparallel to each other, flexible ring members secured near the outer ends of said flanges, a pair of bridges connected near the peripheries of said flexible rings midway between the ends of said flanges and extending substantially parallel to the axis of said coupling, said bridges having a material'widthin a directioncircumferential of the coupling and being relatively narrower in a direction radial of the coupling and a stamped metal band substantially coaxial with the coupling and passing about the exterior wide surfaces of said bridges and rigidly secured thereto.

5. The combination set forth in claims,

in which the band is formed from a strip, the ends of which overlap one of the bridges and are riveted thereto, and in which? the bridges have integral conformationsto provide a snug fit with the adjacent edges of the band to maintain the band accurately at right angles to the bridges.

i 6.111, a coupling, in combination, a pair of hubs, each. having a flange extending out wardly therefrom 'at opposite sides and along a single diameter, flexible annular members carried by said flanges, bridgesconnccting said annular members and near the periphery thereof and extending substantially parallel to the axis ofsaid coupling and midway between the ends of said flanges, and a band carried by said bridges and connecting the same to maintain them in parallelism. j 7. In a coupling, in combination, a pair of hub members, flexible driving members connected to said hubmembers at spaced points and transmission means connected to saidflexible members at points intermediate said spaced points, said transmission means having parts yieldable in a direction transverse of the coupling. 1 i

8. In a coupling, in COlIllOiIlEMiOILfi pair of hub members, flexible driving members connected to said hubmembers'at spaced said flexible'members at points intermediate said spaced points, said transmission means including parallel bridges connecting said flexible members at points intermediate the points of connection to said hub members, and an element connecting said bridges having 'limited flexibility to allow limited ap proach of said bridges and relatively stiff in other directions to prevent displacement of said bridges out of parallelism.

9. The combination set forth in claim 8 in which the Connecting means for the bridges comprises a band of relatively large diam eter spaced by a material distance from the flexible members and from the hubs.

10. A flexible coupling comprising in combination, a pair of substantially identical hub units, each carrying a flexible ring, an intermediate transmission member secured to said rings at points intermediate the oints of attachment to the hubs, connecting elements extending transversely of said flexible elements for effecting each of theconnections to the hubs and to the transmission member, clamp elements frictionally engaging said flexible rings near the periphery thereof and traversed by said connecting elements, said clamp elements being flared at their free edges to determine the limiting flexure of the flexible elements. a 11. The combination set forth in claim 10 in which the transmission member has limited flexure in a direction at right angles to theaxis of the coupling to relieve the distortion upon the flexible rings when the device transmits power betwen poorly aligned shafts. v

12. In a flexible coupling, in combination, a pair of hubs, a transmission member, a flexible'ring connecting one of said hubs to one side of the transmissionmember, and a second flexible ring connecting the other of the hubs to the opposite side of the transmission member, limiting guide means associated with said flexible rings for preventing excessive flexure thereof, said transmitting member having limited flexibility in AIIOH-ClI'lVlIIg direction to relieve the strain upon said flexible rings when the device transmits power between shaft ends spaced by a distance other than that corresponding to the lengthof the coupling.

13. In a flexible coupling, in combination,

a flexible ring member, a rigid element and means connecting said elements into torque transmitting relation with respect to each other, said means comprisinga clamp element frictionally gripping said flexible member, threaded means extending through said clamp element and into said rigid element for clamping said parts together, said clamp element being of stamped metal and having a curved conformation with an outwardly extending rim for determining the limit of curvature of the flexible member when the coupling is connected between poorly aligned shafts.

14, In a flexible coupling, in combination, a pair of hubs,flexible rings carried thereby, transmission band coaxial with said hubs interposed between said rings and spaced therefrom and connecting means between said band and said rings, said connecting means having bridging portions serving as spacers for said rings, and having ortlons extending at opposite faces of said rings and securing elements extending transversely of said latter portions into said bridging portion. a

15.'In a flexible coupling, in combination, a pair of hubs, flexible rings carried thereb a transmission band coaxial with said hu 5 interposed between said rings, spaced therefrom and extending within the cylinder determined by the periphery of said rings, connecting means between said band and said rings, said connecting means comprising aligned pairs of clampin portions near the outer periphery of th faces of the rings, and bridging portions secured to said band and connecting the aligned pairs, said bridging portions extending below the peripher of said rings.

16. n a flexible coupling, in combination, a flexible non-metallic ring of substantial thickness, a hub having a flange, rivet members extending transversely of said flexible ring and having rims of substantial thickness for contacting said flangeand thereby spacing the ring from theflange at all other points, transverse members for 3 clamping said rivets against said flange and metallic plate elements against opposite surfaces of said flexible rings and traversed b rings and flared at their lateral e gee to allow the flexure of said rings.

17. In a flexible coupling, in combination, a hub having a flange, a flexible nonmetallic ring of substantial thickness rovided with diametrically o posite met ic plate elements 'frictiona ly engaging opposite surfaces thereof,*rivets extending transversely through the plates and serving to press them into frictional engagement with the ring, the rim of said rivet ad'acent said flange being of substantial thic ness and having a squared end, and transverse elements extending through said rivets and through correspondin apertures in said flange for clamping sai elements together, said-metallic plates being flared at their lateral edges to lnnit the flexure of said ring. a

18. Ina flexible coupling, in combination, a pair of hubs,each provided with a flange, fiexiblerings of rubber com ition, means securing said rings to sai flanges, said means including a spacer element for afford ing a gap between the flange and the ring except at the pointsof securin and metallic plate membersofvuniform icknesa haw said ing flared edges extending in said gap and serving to limit the distortion of said ring a pair of hubs provided with outstanding flanges, rings of rubber composition secured to said flanges at diametrically opposite points, a transmission member interposed between said rings and secured thereto, at diametrically opposite points midway between said points of connection to said flanges; each 01' said securing means including a pair of metal plates against opposite sides of the rings, said plates being flared at the edges to limitthe distortion of the flexible rings, a rivet extending transversely through the ring and serving to secure said plates in position, said rivet having a squared thickened head, and a threaded fastening element extending transversely through the rivet and clamping the squared rivet head againstthe" element to which it secures the ring. l g a 20,111 a flexible coupling, in combination, aflat ring of rubber composition, metallic clamp elements at the outer periphrey thereof and at uniform intervals rivets extending through said ring and having their rims overlapping the edges of corresponding openings in said clamp elements, the rivets having relatively thick, square-ended rims alternately at op osite faces of the ring, the lateral edges oi the clamp eleinentsybeing flared. 1

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this lth day of October A. D. 1921.

JOSEPH BIJUR. 

